Palace Lantern

The elegant Beijing palace lantern is demanding in its making. Such precious wood as the rosewood, sandalwood and pear wood are normally used for the frame. The colorfully painted gauze and silk make the lantern look more splendid and lustrous. If you come to Beijing during the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Spring Festival in the middle of January, you will see the avenues and alleys alike are decorated with a large variety of lanterns. A sort of thin silk lantern with brush paintings has the special flavor of the imperial palace. In nearly all the handicrafts shops you can buy these beautiful ornaments.